Europe and coal

In April 2008 the energy trade publication, Power in Europe, concluded that "West Europe's coal-fired power renaissance is on the rocks." While numerous coal-fired power stations have been proposed, many are now stalling. "The first quarter of 2008 has been characterized by a number of developers postponing, re-inventing or abandoning their projects, continuing last year’s trend. The main issues hammering coal projects are: conflicting policy signals; vocal, well organized local/environmental opposition; the cost of future carbon emission allowances; and the cost and availability of equipment," Power in Europe concluded.

One anonymous energy industry insider told Power in Europe in early April 2008 that "its remarkable how many coal projects have gone by the board in Germany ... I do wonder to what extent this is the fever of the moment, but clearly just mentioning the word coal is enough to get you hung, drawn and quartered. If you are a big utility with a powerful PR machine and CO2 positions, you probably have to continue to actively develop your coal projects. For the rest, smaller utilities, Stadtwerke and IPPs, now is a good time to keep a low profile on coal – but it remains on the agenda as a watching brief."

Proposed or Possible New Coal-Fired Power Stations
In late 2007 Greenpeace International reviewed 210 new power station proposals of greater than 500 megawatts (MW) in the European Union. The total proposed installed generating capacity of these proposals is 188,883 MW. It found that 68 of the proposals were for coal-fired power stations with a total installed capacity of 64,026 MW, approximately 34 per cent of the total. The review found that 33 of the coal-fired projects are for Germany, eight in the United Kingdom, six oil-to-coal conversions in Italy, six in Poland, five in the Netherlands and others in Austria, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary and Slovakia. The list of the projects below is based on this Greenpeace report but since November last year some of these projects have been modified or appear likely to be rejected while others have subsequently been proposed.

In the decade from 2011-2020, the International Energy Agency forecasts that the OECD (i.e. Europe plus the United States) will add 184 GW of new coal capacity, compared to 168 GW in China. Note that the population of OECD was 1.175 billion people in 2006, compared to 1.321 billion people in China.

Austria

 * Enns Power Station has been mooted by Energie AG at Enns, a town on the Danube River. The proposed project would have an installed capacity of up to 800 megawatts. In April 2008 Power in Europe, an energy trade newsletter, reported that the project on the Danube at Enns would involve coal being brought to the station by barge. The newsletter notes that Enns "also has a tie to the high pressure east-west WAG gasline." (See also Austria and coal).

Belgium

 * Antwerp Power Station, Flanders: In November 2007 E.ON Kraftwerke announced plans to build a 1,100 megawatt power station at a cost of 1.5 billion euros. In its announcement, E.ON stated that it had "started the permitting process by submitting the “MER-Kennisgeving”. In order to being able to start commercial operation in 2014, E.ON Kraftwerke hopes to receive all necessary permits in the second half of 2009." E.ON have stated that they aim to begin construction in 2010. One report on the proposed project stated that "Antwerp was chosen because the installations on the right bank of the River Scheldt can be supplied with coal ships of up to 130.000 tonnes. The new power plant will run on 2 million tonnes of coal per year. This means that coals will be shipped in twice a month." In september 2010, the Flemish province of Antwerp declined to grant an environmental permit for the construction of the plant. In november 2010, E.on made appeal against this decision. (See also Belgium and coal)

Bulgaria

 * Maritza East Power Station, is proposed to have an installed capacity of 750 megawatts; the estimated cost if 950 million euros. The Bulgarian government is calling for tenders for the construction of the new project with interest reported to have been expressed by AES, Enel, CEZ, E.ON, EVN and Bulgarian businessman Hristo Kovachki. (See also Bulgaria and coal).

France

 * Cordemais Power Station Expansion near the village of Cordemais, Nantes has reopened the Cordemais 3 oil-fired generating unit at the existing Cordemais power station owned and operated by EDF; the 185 million euro expansion would add 700 megawatts to the existing 1900 megawatt station. In February 2006 Power in Europe, an energy trade newsletter, reported that the "additional 700 MW to come from re-opening a closed unit at cost of €50 million, plus €55 million spend to improve performance of existing operational units. €80 million to be spent on Nox reductions. the project is part of EDF's programme to increase capacity by 3,100 MW by 2008." This project is now completed with EDF stating in its 2007 annual report that the Cordemais 3 unit was "brought back into service as planned, after being shut down for 12 years".


 * Le Havre Power Station, Normandy: In April 2008 Power in Europe, an energy trade newsletter, reported that in November 2007 Endesa France mentioned "plans for a ‘zero-emission’ 700-MW plant based on clean coal technology at the Channel port of Le Havre. Its other developments on established coal sites are gas-fired CC projects." (See also France and coal)

Germany
Due to the extensive nature of the listing of proposed coal fired power stations in Germany, the listing has been moved to a side page. See Coal power plant proposals in Germany

Greece

 * Agios Nikolaos Power Station in Beotia is proposed by Mytilineos and Endesa, which have formed a joint venture company named Endesa Hellas, to have an installed capacity of 600 megawatts; the estimated cost is 890 million euros. A securities analyst reported in May 2007 that the company had submitted an application for a power generation license. In July 2007, Endesa Hellas reported that the company aimed to have the "clean coal" plant online by the first half of 2013. (It also flagged that plans for a "clean coal" plant of unstated capacity were under development for a location in Albania).


 * Astakos Power Station in Etoloakarnania is a proposal by T-Power - a consortium of Edison and Hellenic Petroleum -- for a 600 megawatt project that Power in Europe describes as being in the "pre-proposal" stage. (See also Greece and coal)

Hungary

 * Matra Power Station, is a coal fired co-generation plant proposed by Matrai Erömu, which is majority-owned by RWE and the the Hungarian Electricity Works, to have an installed capacity of 2,000 megawatts. However, RWE does not list the project as being amongst its "power plant new-build" list. On its website RWE states that "the company operates an 800 MW lignite-fired power plant that is supplied with coal from two opencast mines. Matra is Hungary’s second largest power producer and extracts half of the country's lignite." It also stated that in late 2006 and early 2007 two topping gas turbines (TGT) were commissioned at the plant which "have raised the capacity of the connected power plant units by some 10 per cent." (See also Hungary and coal)

Italy

 * Civitavecchia/ Torrevaldaliga Nord 1 & 2 Power Station in Lazio is proposed by Enel Produzione SpA to have three 660 megawatt units with an installed capacity of 1980 megawatts at a cost of €1.5 billion. This project is currently being developed. Power in Europe reported in April 2008 that the first 660-MW unit was expected to be commissioned "this year" with two scheduled to be commissioned in 2009. The newsletter reported that the project had encountered stiff opposition including hunger strikes in May 2007. The year before Enel was mired in legal controversy. In February 2006 regional authorities suspended the project on the grounds that the company lacked full authorization for the coal loading jetty. In March 2006 Enel appealed the decision and, in May, was cleared to proceed.


 * Porto Tolle Power Station is a proposal by Enel Produzione SpA for a oil-to-coal conversion with an installed capacity of 2000 megawatts and a notional commissioning date of 2012-13. Power in Europe noted in June 2007 that the project was "still awaiting environmental clearance and final approval from MAP. Project ‘not a foregone conclusion’ says Enel’s Fulvio Conti, but Enel maintains 2012-13 horizon.". It also noted that this was a similar proposal to the Civitavecchia project in Lazio. The newsletter states that both the projects "have struggled against sustained environmental opposition and political change."


 * Porto Torres Power Station is proposed to have an installed capacity of 320 megawatts.


 * Rossano Calabro Power Station has been proposed by Enel Produzione SpA to conver the oil-fired station to coal. The proposed installed capacity is not known. In May 2005 it was reported that the municipal council of Rossano voted unanimously against the project and that Enel abandoned the project.


 * Sulcis Power Station is proposed to have an installed capacity of 450 megawatts. However, a U.S. Department of Energy report lists "Sulcis IGCC Project" as being a 957 megawatt project with a notional commissioning date of 2009.


 * Sardinia Power Station is proposed by Endesa Italia to have an installed capacity of 400 megawatts. (See also Italy and coal)

Netherlands

 * Eemshaven Power Station is proposed by RWE to have an installed capacity of 1600 megawatts and to come on line by after 2011/2012. It has been approved for construction. On its website, RWE states that "the authorities in charge at the Eemshaven location in Groningen province are currently processing the request for approval (MER) for building the plant. RWE submitted the records in January 2007." RWE lists it as one of its major capital investments at a cost of 2.2 billion euros.


 * Magnum IGCC Power Station – Eemshaven is proposed by Nuon to have an installed capacity of 1300 megawatts and cost 1 billion euors to construct. The plant, which was originally proposed in September 2005, has been approved to run on syngas derived from coal. Power in Europe noted in Spetember 2007 "Nuon decides to build this plant in phases because of doubling of costs relating to construction and equipment for gasification plant. A 1.2-GW natural gas-fired combined cycle plant will be built first (completion foreseen 2011), followed by coal/biomass gasification plant, replacing natural gas with syngas. Nuon expects within two years to take a decision on the construction of the gasification plant." The newsletter noted that the "the station is to be CO2-capture-ready at latest by 2013."


 * Maasvlakte Power Station (E.ON) in Rotterdam is proposed by E.ON to have an installed capacity of 1100 megawatts with a njotional commissioning date of 2011/12. In April 2008 Power in Europe noted that "E.ON says all it needs to proceed is a natural habitat license and a construction licence, which it hopes to get in early 2008. Greenpeace asks Council of State to strike down environmental licenses granted to E.ON Benelux for this project."


 * Maasvlakte Power Station (Electrabel) in Rotterdam is proposed by Electrabel to have an installed capacity of 800 megawatts and run on coal and biomass. The notional commissioning date is 2011 or 2012. It is a part of a 3,500 megawatt generation plan by the company which will cost 3.5 billion euros. The project was approved in December 2007 and is proposed to be run on up to 80% biomass.


 * Geertruidenberg Power Station is proposed by [Essent]] to have an installed capacity of 800-1100 megawatts. The project has been approved and will be fired predominantly with coal and 30% by biomass. In May 2008 Essent canceled the proposal stating that it was because it had received limited emission rights for carbon dioxide. (See also Netherlands and coal)

Norway

 * Husnes Power Station in west Norway is a proposal by Sor-Norge Aluminium for a 400 megawatt coal-fired power station with a notional commissioning date of 2011. Power in Europe newsletter, which classses the project as being in the "pre-proposal" stage, noted that in November 2006 "the €551 million" project would be a joiunt venture with three other major industrial companies, Tinfos, Eramet, Sargas. "No applications made yet," it noted.


 * Karsto Power Station is a proposal by Haugaland Kraft for a 400-800 megawatt project. (See also Norway and coal)

Poland

 * Opole Power Station is proposed by Elektrownia Opole, S.A. to have an installed capacity of 960 megawatts.


 * Belchatow 2 Power Station in Rogowiec is proposed by Alstom for Elektrownia Belchatow to have an installed capacity of 833 megawatts and cost over 900 million euros. It is proposed that the plant will be commissioned in October 2010. Alstom Poland state that in October 2008 the company signed a contract with the Polish utility BOT Elektrownia Belchatow SA to build  what "will be the largest power plant ever built in the country ... The plant would generate 10% less CO2 on a per KWh basis than the typical coal plant in the region." The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, which funded the project, states on its website that "the project represents a major step in upgrading existing generating assets in Poland to ensure that they meet EU environmental legislation post 2008, notably requirements of the EU Large Combustion Plant and IPPC directives. The project is also an integral part of Polish governmental energy security program."


 * an unnamed power station has been proposed by GE to have an installed capacity of 900 megawatts at a cost of 787 million euros. The plant would be an Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) project.


 * Patnow II Power Station is a 464 megawatt unit proposed by Zespol Elektrowni Patnow-Adamow-Konin, S.A. with a contracted commissioning date of December 31, 2007.


 * Piast Ruch Power Station is a proposal by RWE for a 800 megawatt power station to be built on the Piast Ruch II coal mine in the village of Wola in Silesia. The project will be a joint venture between RWE and Kompania Węglowa, which owns the minesite and will supply the coal. It is proposed that the 1.5 billion euro project be commissioned in 2015. In June 2008 RWE and Kompania Węglowa stated that the project would consume approximately 2.5 million tonnes of locally produced hard coal a year. The joint venturers have flagged that they are aiming to get approvals for the project in 2009-2010. (See also Poland and coal)

Romania

 * Braila Power Station Expansion: In June 2008 the state-owned Romanian company Termoelectrica and a consortium comprising E.ON Kraftwerke and Enel announced that they had signed a Memorandum of Understanding "for the development of the Braila power plant project, for a new 800 MW coal-fired production capacity. The project will also utilize the existing assets from the power plant currently in operation ... Based on the results of the feasibility study, expected by the end of 2008, the parties will decide whether or not to implement the power plant project." The media release also states that "the plant will be prepared for CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) -technology." (See also Romania and coal)

Slovakia

 * Trebisov Power Station is proposed by Ceskoslovenska Energetica Spolocnost to have an installed capacity of 885 megawatts and cost 1.1 billion euros. The proposal is being opposed by local residents, the local council, winemakers in nearby Hungary and the Hungarian government. (See also Slovakia and coal)

United Kingdom
In a table in the January 2008 edition of the ENDS Report, James Richens lists existing proposals for new coal-fired power stations as including:
 * Kingsnorth Power Station a 1,600 megawatt supercritical coal plant proposed by E.ON UK with a notional commissioning date of 2012;
 * Tilbury Power Station 1,600 megawatt supercritical coal plant proposed by RWE nPower with a notional commissioning date of 2014;
 * Blyth Power Station a 2,400 megawatt supercritical coal plant proposed by RWE nPower with a notional commissioning date of 2014;
 * Ferrybridge Power Station a 800 megawatt supercritical coal plant proposed by Scottish and Southern Energy; there is no known notional commissioning date;
 * Longannet Power Station 2,304 megawatt supercritical coal plant proposed by Scottish Power; there is no known notional commissioning date;
 * Cockenzie Power Station a 1,152 megawatt supercritical coal plant proposed by Scottish Power; there is no known notional commissioning date;
 * Teesside Power Station a 800 megawatt coal gasification plant proposed by Centrica that is currently on hold;
 * Hatfield Power Station, a 900 megawatt proposed coal gasification project proposed by Powerfuel with a notional commissioning date of 2013;
 * High Marnham Power Station, a 1,600 megawatt supercritical project proposed by E.ON UK with a notional commissioning date of 2012; and
 * Killinholme Power Station, a 450 megawatt proposed coal gasification project proposed by E.ON UK that is currently on hold. (See also United Kingdom and coal)

Schwarzenegger clause
In October 2008, the European Parliament's Environment Committee voted to support a limit on CO2 emissions for all new coal plants built in the EU after 2015. The so-called "Schwarzenegger clause" applies to all plants with a capacity over 300MW, and limits their annual CO2 emissions to a maximum of 500 grammes per kilowatt hour. The new emissions standard essentially rules out traditional coal plant technologies and mandates the use of Carbon Capture and Storage technologies. The Committee also adopted an amendment to support the financing of 12 large-scale commercial CCS demonstration projects, at a cost that could exceed €10 billion.

European Commission proposes ending state subsidies for loss-making coal mines in the EU
On July 21, 2010, the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union, ruled that member governments of EU member states must stop granting subsidies to loss-making coal mines by the end of 2014. The directive will be implemented in January 2011, pending a European Council vote after the summer. The new rules – if implemented – will only allow governments to give operating aid to loss-making coal mines if closure plans are in place and if they are scheduled to be shut down by 2014 at the latest. The EC also suggests that government subsidies should increasingly go towards supporting the social and environmental costs of such closures, and not on other expenditures. If a mine benefits from government subsidies and doesn't close down by 2014, then it will have to return the funds.

In total, European governments paid out 3.2 billion euro in subsidies to coal in 2008, according to the Financial Times. The industry is responsible for 2.5 percent of world hard coal production. The announcement was welcomed by European environmental groups, who have lobbied hard over the past few months to thwart a draft document circulated earlier this summer that suggested continuing subsidies until 2023.

While the Commission's decision was hailed as a victory, environmentalists are still disappointed in the recent G-20 conference in Toronto, at which nations restated old pledges to curb subsidies for fossil fuels instead of offering new targets or commitments. In total, G-20 nations still hand out subsidies worth about $100 billion annually to the fossil fuel industry, according to a Greenpeace report cited by Nytimes.com.

Reports

 * Emily Rochon, "Coal-fired Power Stations and the European Union", Greenpeace International, November 29, 2007. (This report is a 1MB PDF file).

Europe and coal

 * Austria and coal
 * Belgium and coal
 * Bulgaria and coal
 * France and coal
 * Germany and coal
 * Greece and coal
 * Hungary and coal
 * Italy and coal
 * Netherlands and coal
 * Norway and coal
 * Poland and coal
 * Romania and coal
 * Slovakia and coal
 * United Kingdom and coal

Other Countries and Coal

 * Global use and production of coal
 * Australia and coal
 * China and Coal
 * Colombia and coal
 * Indonesia and coal
 * Japan and coal
 * New Zealand and coal
 * South Africa and coal
 * United States and coal

Background information

 * International Energy Agency, "Coal in European Union - 27 in 2005", International Energy Agency website, accessed June 2008.
 * U.S. Geological Survey, Europe and Central Eurasia 1995-2005
 * U.S. Geological Survey, Germany 1994-2005
 * European Environment Agency, European Pollutant Emission Register. (This has a list of power stations and their current emissions).

Articles on Coal in Europe

 * "Coal-fired power station projects in Europe", Reuters, May 14, 2007.
 * Matthew Lockwood, After the Coal Rush: Assessing policy options for coal-fired electricity generation, Institute for Public Policy Research, July 2008. (Pdf). See also "ippr calls for UK to lead a two year Europe-wide freeze on new coal-fired power stations", Institute for Public Policy Research, Media Release, July 2, 2008.
 * "Coal-fired power generation makes a comeback as gas prices soar", Platts, January 17, 2006.
 * "Progress tracker for German power plant projects", Reuters, May 16, 2008.